BIO: John Umberger, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XLIX. LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF NEW CUMBERLAND. JOHN UMBERGER, farmer, P. O. Lisburn. As early as 1770 the name Umberger was known in this county, and, though the family is really of Scotch and Irish nativity, the name is unquestionably German. Leonard was the first one of the family to come to Lancaster County, Penn., which then included this territory. In Rupp's History mention is made of Leonard Umberger purchasing Rupp's great-grandfather at public sale, the custom in those days, the vessel owners having the right to dispose of their passengers, in this way to obtain their passage money. Leonard Umberger was the great-grandfather of our subject, as he begat Adam who begat David, the father of John. Adam Umberger settled in "Path Valley," now in Franklin County, in 1770, and by his wife, Catharine, had three children: David; Elizabeth, married to Mr. Heckart of Dauphin County; John who engaged in mercantile business in Harrisburg, but died while a young man. Adam Umber- 497 LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP. ger, who was a millwright, was preparing to build a mill near his home when he died; his family then returned to Dauphin County and settled near Linglestown. David, the eldest son, was born in 1775, and was indentured to Mr. Berry, in 1791, to learn the blacksmith's trade (his mother about that time married Michael Umberger, a brother of her first husband, and moved to York County, near Lisburn). About 1796 David Umberger came to Lisburn, purchased property and established himself in the blacksmith's trade. In 1798 he married Dorothy Maish, of York County, Penn., by whom he had a large family; the oldest child, Mary, was born in Lisburn in 1799, and a few years later David Umberger (in 1809) sold his Lisburn property, moved to Warrington Township, York County, and there purchased a farm and carried on an extensive smithy. On this farm were born Ann, Elizabeth, Catharine, David and Rebecca (twins) and Sarah. About 1812 he purchased the Daniel Kahm farm, near Lisburn (where he resided until his death), and here were born Ellen, John, James, George and Esther. John Umberger, our subject, was born in 1816; in 1841, he married Susan Miller, of York County, Penn., daughter of Jacob and Susan Miller, and they commenced married life on the paternal homestead, and their two children were born: David M., in 1843, and Eliza J., in 1845. In the spring of 1846, our subject, with his family, came to this county, purchasing the farm, now his homestead, and which has been made beautiful by his own industry; every fence, the handsome stone house, commodious outbuildings, etc., were erected since the purchase, and the nice orchard was planted by the hands of himself and wife, and they have lived to see their labors crowned by beautiful harvests, which have filled their purse. Rachael E., John, Jr., Agnes J., George F., Lewis C., William M., Franklin P., Lilly E., Charles E. and Clarence S. were born on this farm. Always popular among the people, Mr. Umberger has been foremost in promoting every important feature of educational and social life. A lifelong Democrat, he has lived to see the rise and decline of numerous political parties, and today hails with delight the supremacy his chosen party occupies. For nearly half a century he and his wife have belonged to the Church of God, and have reared their family in that faith. Rich in experience, ripe in years, they remain as they have lived, beloved by all who know them.